Mansour: Diplomatic appointments, reshuffle finalised

The thorny issue of a diplomatic reshuffle has been resolved, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said Wednesday. “Diplomatic appointments and reshuffling at the ambassadorial level have been finalized and will be discussed during a Cabinet meeting next week,” Mansour told Voice of Lebanon radio station. Mansour said the reshuffle, which was based on competence but took into account the sectarian balance, is likely to be approved by consensus. Disputes between Lebanon’s rival political leaders had led to the postponement of diplomatic appointments and reshuffling, as well as civil service appointments. The row over the appointments also led to the suspension of Cabinet sessions for one month earlier this year.